This week, Gov. Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis and Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Director Kevin Guthrie announced that up to $25 million in state funding to purchase building materials and up to $35.2 million in generous donations to the Florida Disaster Fund will be used to allow verified nonprofit organizations to conduct critical temporary repairs on homes damaged by Hurricane Ian.
Funds from the Florida Disaster Fund will also address unmet needs such as transportation, food assistance, housing aid, clothing, and household goods. This announcement follows the federal government’s denial of DeSantis’ request to provide impacted residents and verified volunteers with materials to conduct temporary and permanent repairs on their damaged homes.
“We are providing building materials and supporting nonprofit organizations to provide repairs so impacted residents can move back into their own homes,” said DeSantis. “Floridians are resilient, and the state stands by them every step of the way as they continue their recovery.”
“It is not a matter of if people will get back on their feet, it’s when, which is why uniting communities to reduce red tape and break down bureaucracy to provide relief to Floridians is so important,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis. “The generous donations to the Florida Disaster Fund will go to organizations that are on the ground helping impacted residents recover. We are appreciative of the continued and overwhelming support.”
“I want to thank everyone who donated to the Florida Disaster Fund so impacted Floridians can safely begin returning to their homes,” said Guthrie. “The Division will continue our work to prioritize the needs of survivors and create innovative ways to support communities on their road to recovery.”
Up to $25 million from the State of Florida’s general revenue fund will be dedicated to purchasing building materials to conduct temporary or permanent repairs on homes damaged by Hurricane Ian. Materials that may be purchased under this program include, but are not limited to:
Cleaning and sanitizing products
Concrete and cement products
Lumber and framing accessories
Doors and windows
Electrical products and plumbing materials
Roofing products required for weatherproofing
Tools for muck and gut
Up to $25 million from the Florida Disaster Fund will be awarded to housing organizations for lodging for volunteers, protective equipment for volunteers, and other necessary supplies and commodities. Seventeen additional nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $10.2 million from the Florida Disaster Fund to address unmet needs identified through the Unite Florida portal, including:
Feeding Florida
Harry Chapin Food Bank
Hope Hospice
Safe Children Coalition
Senior Connection Center
Senior Friendship Centers
Senior Resource Alliance
Mothers Helping Mothers
NU-HOPE Elder Care Services Inc.
One More Child
Osceola Council on Aging
All Faiths Foodbank of Sarasota
Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
Bridge a Life
Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
Community Legal Services of Mid Florida
Elder-Source – Area Agency on Aging for Northwest Florida
To apply for temporary or permanent housing repairs and to connect with other important recovery resources, impacted residents can visit the Unite Florida Hurricane Ian Recovery Portal at IanRecovery.fl.gov/Unite.
The Florida Disaster Fund, spearheaded by First Lady DeSantis, has raised more than $57 million to help with recovery in communities impacted by Hurricane Ian. The Florida Disaster Fund is the state’s private fund overseen by Volunteer Florida established to provide financial assistance to our communities as they respond to and recover from times of emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other non-governmental organizations, the Florida Disaster Fund supports response and recovery activities. To contribute, please visit www.FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
Donations to the Florida Disaster Fund are made to the Volunteer Florida Foundation, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, and are tax-deductible. Donations may be made by credit card on the secure website www.floridadisasterfund.org or by check to the below address. Checks should be made payable to the Volunteer Florida Foundation and should include “Florida Disaster Fund” in the memo line.
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